Kalamalka Lake

An easy day, exactly when you need one.

lake50.174, -119.330

If you're looking for an easy day with swimming and pets on leash, Kalamalka Lake is a solid pick.

Not the pick for solitude or a rugged wilderness day.

Don't leave without...

Fishing
Paddle Sports
Swimming
Water sports
Recreational boating
Water skiing
Hiking
Pets on leash

Overview

Known as the 'lake of a thousand colours', it offers a watersports paradise with sparkling cyans to deep turquoise greens, carved by glaciers and located in Coldstream.

Quick Facts

Type: lake
Coordinates: 50.1736, -119.3300

What you can do here

Hiking
Fishing
Paddle Sports
Recreational boating
Swimming
Water skiing
Water sports

Good to know

Getting there & parking

Approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south of the city of Vernon.

Facilities

Main boat launch — Located in Kekuli Bay Provincial Park

Alternative boat launches — Kinloch Boat Launch, WestKal Road Launch, Kalavista Boat Launch

Dogs & pets

Pet-friendly beach location — Eastern end of Cosens Beach

Safety & notices

Wildlife caution — Rattlesnakes and other wildlife present

More details

Named After: Okanagan First Nation chief who occupied its northern shores.
Color Variations: Ranges from cyan to indigo, earning it the moniker 'lake of a thousand colours'.
Hydrology: An oligotrophic, monomictic marl lake with high alkalinity and hardness.
Inflow: Mainly from Wood Lake through a canal at Oyama.
Outflow: Drained by Vernon Creek, flowing into Okanagan Lake.
Recreational Use: Primarily for recreational boating and water skiing.
Named after: Okanagan First Nation chief
Main inflow: Wood Lake, connected by a canal at Oyama
Drained by: Vernon Creek
Beaches: Kal Beach, Cosens Bay Beach, Jade Bay Beach, Juniper Bay Beach, Kekuli Bay Beach, Kirkland Park Beach, Kaloya Regional Park Beach
Provincial Parks: Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park and Protected Area, Kekuli Bay Provincial Park
Resorts: Tween Lakes Resort, Klub Kal
Surrounding parks: Kaloya Regional Park, Kekuli Bay Provincial Park, Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park
Okanagan Rail Trail location: Hugs the west side of the entire lake
Length: 16km
Depth: 142m

Locals' favourite launch spots

Locals' favourite launch spot: Kinloch Boat Launch or WestKal Road Launch: Sneak a peak at the stunning lakeside homes or paddle along the rail trail, then head around to Jade/Juniper Bay in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park to find a beautiful spot to jump in for a swim and cool off.

Keep Exploring

Kalamalka Lake Park

1.3 km away.

Kal Park has the largest concentration of bike trails in the greater Vernon area with trai…

The Commonage

4.0 km away.

The Commonage is an area south of Vernon, known for being one of the top birding routes in…

Predator Ridge Resort

4.4 km away.

A resort with trails offering options ranging from easy walks to more challenging hikes.

Kaloya Regional Park

6.8 km away.

A regional park on the south end of Kalamalka Lake.

Ellison Park

7.8 km away.

A provincial park with multiple beaches for camping, hiking, canoeing, and fishing, also f…

Vernon Creek

70 m away.

Kekuli Bay Provincial Park

1.3 km away.

Located on a peaceful bay with calm waters, a boat ramp, campground, and popular for boati…

Kekuli Bay

1.4 km away.

Kekuli Bay is a location where visitors can cool off and take a dip in the lake.

Cougar Canyon

2.1 km away.

Located within Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park, it offers a variety of rock climbing routes…

Rattlesnake Point

3.8 km away.

A viewpoint at Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park known for its sunset walks and views of the…

Okanagan Lake Viewpoint

5.7 km away.

Kinloch Boat Launch

6.7 km away.

A boat launch located at 12908 Kinloch Drive.